Comparison of Mr. Wickham's and Elizabeth's Attitude Towards Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

In the novel Pride and Prejudice, Austen conveys her opinion about marriage. Through Lydia Bennet and George Wickham, Austen clearly shows how a relationship on the basis of infatuation contributes to an unsuccessful marriage. Lydia is an immature, foolish young woman who presents a relationship based on physical gratification. Wickham too, is similar - he is self-indulgent, manipulative and would never deny any pleasure. Just like Wickham, Lydia has an aspiration to “attach herself to anybody,” as she experiences a passion for men in uniform. As a result of Lydia 's immaturity, she demonstrates that her love towards Wickham is only for enjoyment and imprudent motives; he being part of the regiment is the only reason her affections fluctuate for him. Despite the absence of admiration in their marriage, Lydia and Wickham suffer the consequences of their marriage with indifference for one another. They live a short period of happiness as their marriage is based on convenience, attraction and passion rather than love and

In Pride and Prejudice Author Jane Austen claims that marriage should be between a man and women who love each other equally. Austen's disgust of Marriage and decorum in British culture is written through the eyes of main the main character in Pride and Prejudice, Miss Elizabeth Bennett. It is sad to think that marriage could be bought or in Elizabeth Bennett’s case not afforded. Marriage shouldn’t be the only measure of worth for women. Someone should not feel “repugnance” for a marriage due to situation.

I never was, I only ask for a comfortable home …”. The use of the word

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen introduces the major thematic concept of marriage and financial wealth. Throughout the novel, Austen depicts various relationships that exhibit the two recurring themes. Set during the regency period, the perception of marriage revolves around a universal truth. Austen claims that a single man “must be in want of a wife.” Hence, the social stature and wealth of men were of principal importance for women. Austen, however, hints that the opposite may prove more exact: a single woman, under the social limitations, is in want of a husband. Through this speculation, Austen acknowledges that the economic pressure of social acceptance serves as a foundation for a proper marriage.

Jane Austen’s novel is commanded by women; Pride and Prejudice explores the expectations of women in a society that is set at the turn of the 19th century. Throughout the plot, Austen’s female characters are all influenced by their peers, pressures from their family, and their own desires. The social struggle of men and women is seen throughout the novel. Characters, like Elizabeth, are examples of females not acting as proper as women were supposed to, while other women like Mrs. Bennett allow themselves to be controlled by men and society. Mr. Collins is a representation of the struggles males deal with in a novel dominated by women. The theme of marriage is prominent during Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Marriage can be examined in

At the dawn of the tale, Elizabeth, searching fiercely for romance, comes across a handsome militia officer named George Wickham. Elizabeth is instantly attracted to him; his pleasant appearance and charming personality are enough to draw her in. As she listens to Wickham speak, especially negatively about Fitzwilliam Darcy, an aristocrat, she does not question or slightly doubt a word that he is saying. She is so swayed by his good looks and charming manner that she does not think for a second that he could be a malicious man; she is falling under his spell ignorantly. Elizabeth’s strong desire for romance shuts down her judgement and causes her to fall in love with Wickham, without thought. At this point, she thinks it is best to follow the standards and be an idealist, because she has always been told to get married by her mother, Mrs. Bennet.

Marriage Proposals in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Romance Versus Security. "It is universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." These are the words of Jane Austen, and like many people of her time, she believed very much in the importance of finding a wealthy husband for young women. Jane Austen's novel reflects the importance of marriage to many people around 1775. Although events such as the industrial revolution were sweeping the country, these were ignored and the life of a few middle class families in a country village were depicted.

Wickham. Once Darcy learned of this news from Elizabeth, he felt somewhat responsible because he didn’t tell anyone about Wickham evil behavior. The Gardiner took Elizabeth back to Longbourn to be with her family. Mrs. Bennet was being crazy as usual and then they learned that Wickham had gambling debts. None of this news was good. Mr. Bennett and Mr. Gardiner were looking for Lydia and Wickham, but after no luck Mr. Bennet returned home. Mr. Gardiner continued to look and found them. Wickham said he would marry Lydia but there is a price. He wants her father to give her equal shares of his wealth. Mr. Bennet was still confused about who paid Wickham debts. He thought that maybe Mr. Gardiner did it. Even though Lydia married a crook, her mother was still excited that one of her daughter was married. Mrs. Bennet was only focused on getting her daughter married and not their well being. Lydia and Wickham came back to visit and Lydia told Elizabeth that Darcy was at her wedding to Wickham. At issue are assumptions about the selfishness and instability of men’s love. When Elizabeth discovers that

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want if a wife"

During the time period of the 1800s in England, not only was the economic situation different but the social norms were differently. Jane Austen depicts this greatly in her novel pride and prejudice, not only was the social classes a big deal, but the marriage between families was a bigger deal. Throughout the novel many of the characters encounter this problem of, love in marriage or money in marriage, and many of the families and females within this time period choice money in marriage. The author Jane Austen feels that the idea of marring for money rather than love is preposterous and expresses this through the character Elizabeth

Pride and Prejudice is a novel written by Jane Austen in the Regency Period of England. The book represents to the reader how females, marriage and social class were viewed at the time, as well as demonstrates Austen’s opinion on these matters in a somewhat satirical sense. The two marriage proposals in the book towards the lead female character, Elizabeth Bennet, are put forth by Mr Collins and Mr Darcy, both of whom exaggerate the social norms of the time; as women were not expected to marry for love, but for financial gain, the terms for both proposals are focused more on the gains of both the man and the woman rather than true feelings towards the affair. The ridiculed etiquette shows how Austen held the ‘rules’ of the time in low regard.

When Elizabeth flatly turns down his marriage proposal, it startles Darcy into realizing just how arrogant and assuming he has been. Soon, there is reconciliation between Darcy and Elizabeth where each admits how much they have changed as a result of their earlier encounters. An example of this is when Lady Catherine visits to insure the marriage between Darcy and Elizabeth. She came in order to prevent it, but when Darcy hears the manner in which Elizabeth answered Lady Catherine, he realizes that Elizabeth regards him differently. He saw that her attitude of him had changed which prompted him to make his marriage proposal. Thus, we can now see that Darcy and Elizabeth both have balance in their relationship because they are able to reflect against each other and each is capable of undergoing a change. In the end, Darcy is willing to marry into a family with three silly daughters, an embarrassing mother and is willing to make Wickham his brother-in-law .It may be that he is more easygoing about other people's faults because he is now aware of his own.

The failings of not marrying for love are again made apparent by Austen through the account of Lydia and Wickham and their shortfalls. Lydia and Wickham’s relationship was built on a mixture of youthful attraction and naivety. In the letter she sends to Harriet,

Jane Austen's Portrayal of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice Marriage plays an extremely important role in Jane Austen's novel 'Pride and Prejudice'. The novel begins with the sentence "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. " This single sentence extremely significant in the fact that it is strongly connected with one of the main themes of the novel, and introduces a powerful irony that clashes with the events that unfold during the progress of the novel. In Jane Austen's day, women of high status were almost entirely dependent on men.

Love and Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Analyse Jane Austen's presentation of love and marriage in her novel Pride & Prejudice. From your evidence suggest what Austen regards as a 'good' marriage.